Quicy Mine 1908

Founded in 1846 and located on the hills overlooking the cities of Houghton and Hancock on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula.
The Quincy mine is great example of the massive copper mining operation that was once common place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
When the mine closed in 1945 the Quincy Number 2 shaft was the world’s deepest shaft, at 9260 feet. The Mine is now museum run by the Quincy Mine Hoist Association, featuring exhibits about one of the most commercially successful copper mine in Michigan. The most impressive exhibit is the Nordberg Steam Hoist and Shaft House Number 2.

The Nordberg Steam Hoist. Constructed in 1918 and housed in the Number 2 Hoist House, the Nordberg Steam Hoist is the world largest steam hoist. Weighting over 880 tons and almost three stories tall, the hoist was capable of lifting 10 tons of copper ore up the shaft at speeds of almost 37 mines per hour. The Hoist is a master piece of early 20th century industrial machinery.

Shaft House Number 2. Sitting on top of Shaft Number 2, the shaft house is open to tour and contain many of the tool used by the miners.

The Tour. If you get a chance take the mine tour, not only do you get to a chance see the Nordberg Steam Hoist up close, you get to take a ride on a cog train and tour level seven of the copper mine.